Image courtesy of ORBA
Orchard Road Christmas 2011 / Image by chooyutshing of Flickr
Christmas in Singapore's Orchard Road is a major attraction for locals and international visitors and has been for the past 28 years. According to the survey by the Singapore Tourism Board, 1 in 5 overseas visitors is a repeat visitor to the Orchard Road Christmas Light Up. It has been ranked third in Lonely Planet's list of "Top 10 Christmas Markets of the World" and one of the "Top 10 World's Best Holiday Lights 2010" by Frommer.
As early as mid-October, preparations are underway by the Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) to dress up Singapore's main shopping strip with Christmas ornaments and lights. It is no different this year as Orchard Road gets ready to enchant visitors young and old from 17 November 2012 to 6 January 2013.
Here are 4 reasons to make a beeline to
Singapore with your family and friends and be part of the Christmas Light-Up at Orchard.
1) Christmas on A Great Street
In 2011, the 2.2 kilometre shopping strip was lit up like a tropical garden when Christmas bloomed in Singapore, thanks to Hitachi who has been supporting the annual signature Light Up event for 22 years.
Orchard Road Christmas 2011 / Image by chooyutshing of Flickr
Orchard Road Christmas 2011 / Image by chooyutshing of Flickr
This year , the theme of "Christmas on A Great Street" focuses on Yuletide folklore and traditions to create a nostalgic charms of Christmas on Orchard Road. Familiar icons of Christmas trees, hearts, and doves representing Joy, Love and Peace respectively will accompany the many fairy lights, shoppers and the Yuletide season window-dressing of the participating malls along Orchard Road. To entertain last minute Christmas shoppers, ORBA is also providing a schedule of nightly performances, parades, and displays from 16 to 25 December.
2) Take Christmas Home with You
Christmas keychain / Image courtesy of ORBA
Locals and visitors took part in the 2011 Christmas Light Up by buying red candles and ORBA donated SGD1 for each candle purchased to a local charity, the Community Chest.
This year, ORBA continues to improve the visitor experience. For the first time in the event history, ORBA is introducing limited-edition Christmas souvenirs modelled after the Light Up motifs as memorabilia, allowing locals and visitors to take a piece of the street decoration back home.
Christmas magnet / Image courtesy of ORBA
Mr Steven Goh, Executive Director of ORBA explained that Orchard Road is decked anew every year in dazzling splendour, and this year, the experience will not just end with Christmas. With limited edition "Christmas on A Great Street" merchandise, visitors can now relive the magical moments they have experienced on the main shopping belt.
3) Showcasing Singapore's Young Design Talent
Christmas totebags / Image courtesy of ORBA
The Christmas Light-Up at Orchard is not just a magical time for local and visiting families but also for the design students of LASALLE College of the Arts this year. To produce the limited edition Christmas merchandise, ORBA collaborated with the Arts College to adapt the 3 main motifs onto T-shirts and totebags. This has allowed the young budding design talents to showcase their creativity and see their works come to life on Singapore's premier shopping street.
Christmas t-shirts / Image courtesy of ORBA
The t-shirts and totebags are available at the Christmas Gift Shop located at Tang Plaza shopping mall and purchases using a Visa card enjoys a 10% discount.
4) Christmas in the Tropics
Orchard Road Christmas 2011 / Image by chooyutshing of Flickr
Christmas along Orchard Road offers an opportunity to celebrate the festival season away from the cold, snow and ice. Apart from the chance to dress down in t-shirts and shorts, sit out in the alfresco and have an ice cream, a tropical Christmas means late mall hours and the fun of nighttime shopping unavailable in the northern hemisphere. Adding to the fun is the wide range of shopping promotions by individual malls and Visa to fill the bags of locals and visitors with presents for family and friends.
Orchard Road Christmas 2011 / Image by chooyutshing of Flickr
Already, there is a sense of anticipation and build-up of excitement as mid-November draws closer. Whether you're a resident or visitor, you definitely don't want to miss being a part of the Singapore Christmas Light Up in Orchard. So make a date with Singapore this Christmas.
For more information on must-see attractions, special events, tours, dining options, accommodation and more, please visit the Official Singapore Tourism Website -
www.YourSingapore.com
